Coach dismissed, AD asked to resign (High School - soccer coach likely served drinks to players)

A suspended soccer coach has been dismissed and the Brighton High School athletic director has been asked to resign in the wake of allegations that the coach provided alcohol to some of his players last spring.

The decisions were announced Tuesday following an investigation by the Michigan State Police as well as an internal investigation by the Brighton School District.

In a press release, Superintendent Dave Pruneau said he had asked for Athletic Director Bruce Zylstra's resignation because the school's internal investigation determined he was aware of the allegations against assistant junior varsity soccer coach Joe McCarty and did not take appropriate action.

Zylstra is on paid administrative leave. When reached Wednesday, he had no comment. "He has not yet resigned and is examining his options," said his attorney John Brower. "He will respond soon, and we hope for a positive outcome for all parties involved."

McCarty could not be reached for comment. The school district also has asked that McCarty, who is not a teacher, have no contact with Brighton athletics.

The school's investigation found that, on at least one occasion in the spring, McCarty provided alcohol to some members of the junior varsity soccer team at his apartment and that he also sold alcohol to the girls. The school district's investigation also indicated that this probably was not the only time McCarty gave or sold alcohol to team members.

An investigation by the State Police focused on the spring incident and their investigation is continuing. Still to be determined is whether McCarty will face criminal charges in the incident. "We are gathering additional information and expect to have more information the early part of next week," said Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse.

The school district's investigation also determined that Zylstra, athletic director for the past four years, was alerted in the spring of the alleged incident and did not report the incident to either the high school administration or the superintendent's office. "I view this as a serious breach of his administrative duties and I have asked for his resignation from his duties as athletic director," Pruneau said in a written statement Tuesday.

Pruneau's statement said Hal Anderson would serve as the interim athletic director while the district searches for a permanent replacement. Anderson retired from the job of athletic director four years ago.

This is not how I want my old stomping grounds in the news.

I coached for a couple of years(football) in Brighton. As a coach, I was expected to be a leader and to set an example for my players, and this is an example of what not to do.

1 posted on 09/19/2003 12:50:56 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan

2 posted on 09/19/2003 4:08:49 PM PDT by Uncle George

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